The Normals | ✓

F I F T E E N

I should've never left Pacifica.

This thought runs over and over on repeat in my head as I walk home. Well, to Arden's home. I haven't had a proper home in two weeks. I could say it's the Core, but I hate that place. And I want to say it's here, but I know Arden doesn't want me living with him.

And now, neither does Lyra.

You idiot, my brain tells me. Why in the world would a Normal be interested in you, of all people? And a girl no less? You do realize these people are literally perfect... right?

I glance up at Lyra ahead of me. She's walking stiffly, continuously adjusting the backpack on her shoulders and detangling her long straight hair from the straps. The air around us is tense, and she's not even looking in my direction.

I tried to kiss her. Or hug her. Or something, I don't even know. I don't know what I was thinking, or what I was expecting to happen, but when I realized what I was doing, it was too late. She was already backing away, screaming at me, and pushing me far from her. Maybe I had tried to do it because I'm still a little broken over Sniper and needed a distraction. Maybe I've somehow already healed and have moved on. Either way, the outcome is the same. Normals can never love someone they aren't supposed to. And no matter how much I pleaded and apologized to her, she's gone cold.

This morning, she had come into the guest room early, waking me up to show me her morning routine before her classes. We had taken shortcuts through the neighbourhood, ducking into people's back gardens and weaving through crowded alleys. I had somehow convinced myself that this was something more, that she was maybe feeling the same way that I was. So when she grabbed my hand to help me out of the stream of busy people crowding the streets, I took it as my chance. Right there in the middle of the crowd.

You idiot, my brain repeats. And to think that you'd ever fit in here.

I look up and realize Lyra's standing at the end of the street, her hands on her hips and her dark brown eyes narrowed at me. "Hurry up!"

"Sorry," I mutter, walking faster. She starts walking again before I can catch up to her, and after several more minutes of tense silence and quiet streets, we're back in her neighbourhood. The white, two-floored houses with their perfectly manicured lawns and matching mailboxes. The shiny silver letters on each door indicating each household. Lyra heads toward the one at the end of the street, marked with the name Viotto. I don't know what it means or why it's there, but if the Core has taught me anything, it's when to keep my mouth shut.

My thoughts push back and forth, debating whether I should say something to Lyra before going in. I doubt she'll want to talk to me anyway, but I don't think I can stand never talking to her again. Maybe I can just apologize once more...

The Viotto house draws closer. Two houses away, and we pass one with a little girl on the front porch. One, and I almost bump into a woman passing by. I stare at her glaring face as we walk away from each other, and then realize Lyra's almost at her house. "Wait! Lyra!" I yell. She keeps walking, her slim shoulders tensing up. "Lyra, please. Just listen to me, okay? You don't even have to turn around."

She doesn't, but she stops in her path and I can hear her sigh. "What?" she snaps, when I don't speak. I gulp and try to find the words I need to say.

"I'm sorry. I know I've probably said that like, a million times but I really am. I don't know why I... did what I did, but I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have. I just don't want you to stop speaking to me without me giving you a proper apology. I'm... so, so sorry. Again."

Her head dips down and she releases another sigh, before turning around. Her pretty face twisted into an expression of confusion and disgust. "Why?" she asks. "Why'd you do it? Why'd you try to kiss me?"